Laterally comminuted fracture-dislocation of the ankle.

Laterally comminuted fracture-dislocations of the ankle are highly unstable injuries in which anatomical reduction of the talus and restoration of fibular length and rotation are difficult. To our knowledge, no descriptions of the fracture pattern of these injuries and the surgical technique for treating them are available, and surgical results with this fracture have been disappointing. Discontinuity of the fibula as a result of comminution makes accurate assessment of fibular length and rotation impossible if the fibula is reduced first. Anatomical stabilization of the talus beneath the tibia is achieved by reduction and fixation of the medial malleolus. The fibular malleolus is then anatomically positioned in the lateral articular facet of the talus and fixed in this position. The osseous discontinuity of the fibula is grafted with bone. Clinical and radiographic results of the technique were highly satisfactory after a mean length of follow-up of thirty-four months.